Showy milkweed, Davis milkweed
Asclepias speciosa

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 60-90 cm wide. It is bushy and hairy. The leaves are large and oval. They are 8-16 cm long. The flowers are small and shaped like stars. They are pink or purple. They are in round clusters 8 cm across. The fruit is a large soft pod. It has many seeds.

There are 100 Asclepias species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows along roadsides and in moist grassland. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoots are boiled and eaten like asparagus. The tender tops of older plants are steamed and eaten as a potherb. The gum has been used for chewing. The flower buds, fruit, roots and raw flowers are also used. Caution: It contains bitter alkaloids. Plants should be cooked.

Edible parts

Flowers, gum, leaves, root, seeds, seeds pod

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Asclepias douglasii Hook.; Asclepias giffordii Eastw.;